The Sacred Place That Greets Two Continents; Hagia Sophia

The Pearl of Istanbul… It greets two continents with all its splendor and majesty…

Strong architecture that defies centuries, art that still keeps its secrets, one of the world’s most noble legacies adorned with techniques beyond its age…

Adding color to the magnificent beauty of Istanbul, Hagia Sophia is like a door opening from the deep pages of history to the present.

The best way to understand cultures is to understand and study the artifacts left behind. Actually, it’s like reading a book. Let’s read the Hagia Sophia book closely.

This is a building that witnessed many different periods. The word Hagia Sophia; means holy wisdom.

Hagia Sophia was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. between 532-537 AD.

The construction was undertaken by two Greek architects named Isidoros of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles.

According to a rumor, 10,000 workers worked in Hagia Sophia.

It is also rumored that I. Justinanus spent a great fortune for this structure.

Justinian brought marbles from various cities to make the structure look magnificent and powerful.

These materials were the remains of ancient cities.

Let’s get a little closer now.

Hagia Sophia was subjected to Latin invasion. Istanbul devastated by the Latin invasion in 1204. During this 57-year invasion period, the Latins took away all the beauties. Hagia Sophia lived the same fate. They even took the tiles of Hagia Sophia because they were gold.

These were terrible years for Istanbul.

One of the interesting issues about Hagia Sophia is the grave on the second floor of Hagia Sophia.

This grave belongs to the commander of the Latin armies, Enrico Dandolo. Her name is on the grave. It is also said in various narrations that the grave was opened and emptied. Enrico Dandolo wanted to be buried in Hagia Sophia. Died in 1205, a year after the invasion.

So what happened after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453?

Fatih Sultan Mehmet, one of the world’s greatest commanders. He conquered Istanbul in 1453. When he conquered Istanbul, the city was very bad. Because the Latins had destroyed the city. Hagia Sophia‘s condition was very bad.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet had Hagia Sophia repaired. Fatih Sultan Mehmet did not act like Latins. He protected Hagia Sophia.

Fatih Sultan Mehmet turned Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Fatih Sultan Mehmet used her Islamic right. Because he conquered this city.

The Ottomans preserved historical values.

Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1934 with the decision of the Council of Ministers.

Hagia Sophia became a mosque again in 2020.

We should remember all time Hagia Sophia and we should so love it.